IT’S NOT PERFECTION, IT’S CONNECTION

The Good Life #11

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

March 24, 2024

(Matthew 5:18, NASB) “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

My heart was made to be infused with the life of God.

(Deuteronomy 4:1, NLT) “And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, …”

(Matthew 22:37–39, NLT) “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

1. Obedience leads to intimacy with God.

(Deuteronomy 4:10, AMP) “[Remember] how on the day that you stood before the Lord your God in Horeb, the Lord said to me, Gather the people together to Me and I will make them hear My words, that they may learn [reverently] to fear Me all the days they live upon the earth and that they may teach their children.”

a. God wants me to relate to Him.

b. God wants me to reverence Him.

c. Torah is the Father’s instruction for the children He loves.

d. When I love someone, I think of ways to please them.

2. The fruit of obedience is a rich and good life.

(Luke 5:5–6, NLT) “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!”

(Deuteronomy 4:1, NLT) “Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land …”

a. Freedom comes with discipline.

b. Discipline helps me soar.

3. Obedience is about my heart.

a. My heart is the central motivating reality of my life.

(Proverbs 4:23, NLT) “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

b. If my heart is in sync with God; my life is filled with God’s presence.

(Deuteronomy 4:9, NIV) “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live.”

(Jeremiah 31:33, NIV) “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.”

1. Worship God alone.

2. Worship God in the way He requires.

3. Honor God’s name in speech and conduct.

4. Honor the Sabbath by worshipping God and resting. Do not require others to work on the Sabbath.

5. Honor your parents.

6. Respect and protect human life.

7. Respect and protect marriage and sexuality.

8. Respect and protect one another’s property.

9. Be honest. Respect and protect the truth.

10. Be content with God has given to you.

The Mark of a Godly Person

(Psalm 1:2, NLT) “But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.”

(John 14:21, 23, 27, NLT) “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them … My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. …I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

GROWTHWORK

1. Ask God to point out those areas of my life where I sin by omission or commission.

2. Refocus on Heart issues not religious issues.